JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- In a ceremony full of sorrow and appreciation, hundreds gathered Monday at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial to honor fallen service members from all of America's wars and to add seven more names: young men who lost their lives fighting in Iraq.

"We are a stronger, freer nation for their selfless dedication, and they must not be forgotten," said U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, who gave one of two keynote addresses.

Families laid wreaths and recounted anecdotes of these men who were not only heroes, they were fathers, brothers and sons.

Special attention was given to the seven families for whom the sorrow is still fresh. Patricia Smith's son, Keith Robinson, died in Iraq last year. He was 24 years old.

"I was pretty shocked and amazed and happy that he would be honored and placed on the wall today," Smith said. "As a mother, I just thank God for giving me the opportunity to give birth to him."

Many veterans attended, thankful to the city of Jacksonville for going to great lengths to honor its service members.

"It means a lot to me. It brings back a lot of memories," said Robert French, who earned a Purple Heart fighting in the Korean war.

Bruce Rehmer, who earned his Purple Heart in Vietnam, is proud of the wall where the names of 1,700 who died in the service of their country are inscribed.

"I think that we're the only city in the nation that can list its accomplishments for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice by high schools and by wars, and I think that's just awesome."

While city officials said the ceremony at the downtown memorial is the largest in the state, other veterans and families of slain service members spent part of their day at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, which opened in January.